Cuomo ‘watching theater’ of NYC political race

The curtain’s up for the upcoming New York City elections, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo is entertained.

At an event Tuesday in Buffalo, Cuomo was asked by reporters for his take on former Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s plans to run for New York City comptroller, joining a ballot that also includes Former U.S. Rep. Anthony Wiener for mayor. The two left their previous offices amid sex scandals.

“I am just watching the theater that is going on in New York City in this political season,” Cuomo said.” But I am going to reserve comment at this time.”

Cuomo also updated the press on the status of emergency federal funds for parts of upstate hit with severe weather and flooding in recent weeks. The governor said he does not expect funds from the feds, although he’s pushing for them, especially for Herkimer, Montgomery and Madison counties in central New York.

“At this point, I am not overly optimistic,” he said. “I want to try to get the federal funds first. I belive we should qualify for the federal funds, and we should advocate for the federal funds, because the state doesn’t have this kind of money either.

“But whatever happens, we are not going to leave homeowmers on their own,” he said. “There are people who gave been devastated in many situations, people who had their whole lives washed away in a matter of minutes, and they just have no recourse.”

“Step one is trying to get the federal money. I have been pushing very hard; I have pushed our federal officials to push very hard,” Cuomo continued. “At this point, I am not cautiously optimistic, but if we can’t get the federal funds, then … the state will step up.”